Keane and Ireland ready for challenge
Emmet Malone is in Faro, Portugal where Ireland will today travel ahead of their Euro 2016 qualifying clash with Gibraltar tomorrow.
It’s Gibraltar’s first ever qualifying campaign and Ireland trounced them 7-0 at the Aviva Stadium last time out but the newly diplomatic Roy Keane is taking nothing for granted.
“I think, honestly, their points, the goals against, it doesn’t look great,” said the Corkman. “But any time we’ve gone to watch them over the last few days and we’ve looked at clips, they have improved.”
Kevin Doyle was also speaking after training in Abbotstown yesterday. He’s confident that his new found lease of life with MLS side the Colorado Rapids has improved his confidence and he’s ready to add to his 61 Irish caps, starting tomorrow night.
Van Gaal content with huge spending
Since taking over at Manchester United Louis van Gaal has brought in 12 players at a total cost of over €340 million.
However, despite the criticism received after some of his signings, particularly this summer, this Dutchman is confident that his rebuild is almost complete at the 20 times English champions.
Cunningham faces his ultimate test
Galway manager Anthony Cunningham is well used to facing Kilkenny in crucial All-Ireland championship matches, his fondest memory coming 29 years ago when, as a player, he scored 1-3 to help his side reach the final and beat Kilkenny in the championship for the first time in 33 years.
Now, as a manager, he is hoping to channel that belief into his players when they take to the field against the Cats on Sunday.
Cunningham becomes only the second man since Cyril Farrell to take charge of Galway in an All-Ireland final.
Sean Moran spoke to him yesterday.
Dempsey and Kilkenny always searching for that something extra
If winning was ever to become boring for a team that team would surely be Kilkenny. But fitness trainer Michael Dempsey says there is not a bit of that in Brian Cody’s squad.
“Sports is so complex. People tend to focus on physical fitness, or skill, but it’s the whole physical side, the whole attitude...it’s also about the mindset of players.
Targeting Cluxton kickouts the key for Mayo
In his statistics column Eamon Donoghue has looked at how Mayo reaped the benefits when they pushed up on Dublin, and can do so again this Saturday.
After Mayo pushed forward in the second half they managed to turn over 40 percent of Stephen Cluxton kickouts, allowing them a route back into the game.
A turned over kickout was, of course, the route that led to Andy Moran’s last minute equalising point and a similar tactic could prove to be the difference for Mayo this Saturday.
Fearless streak key characteristic of Zebo
Johnny Watterson was speaking to Ireland full-back Simon Zebo yesterday following his inclusion in Joe Schmidt’s World Cup squad.
Zebo believes he has matured into a real player in recent years by becoming more expressive in how he plays and not fearing the consequences.
Leinster’s interim captain ready to go
Ahead of tomorrow’s opening Pro12 match Leinster interim captain, Kevin McLaughlin, has come back from a second shoulder reconstruction to be ready to lead Leinster into their latest Pro12 challenge.
The Donnybrook side travel to take on Edinburgh in their opening match tomorrow night.
High-flying Aussie shows no sign of letting up
In his column this week Colin Byrne has written about the incredible form Jason Day is currently in but warns that he should enjoy it while it lasts.
“I hope it lasts for a long time for the Queenslander but of course it will not last forever. Ask Tiger, Luke, Phil, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. It will end but that’s not what Day is now thinking.”
Louganis story sheds light on a dark period
In this week’s America At Large Dave Hannigan looks at the level of anti-gay discrimination suffered by Olympic diver Greg Louganis.
At the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, Louganis won gold in both the platform and springboard competitions, the epic manner of his triumphs, replete with record-winning margins in one games, and a dramatic recovery from a head injury in another, briefly catapulted diving from the fringes to the mainstream.
However, he has never received anything near the levels of sponsorships or endorsements that other American sports stars have.
What to watch out for
Golf: The Russian Open gets underway, and with it the race for qualification for the European Ryder Cup team. Sky Sports 4, 1pm.
Cricket: England take on Australia in the first of their one day international series. Sky Sports 2 from 1.30pm.
Soccer: Wales travel to take on Cyprus in a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier. Sky Sports 1, 7.45pm.
